Rooms: is a fan room ok, or should I budget for air-con?

It depends. An air-con room can bring the sniffles along with cold air. There is often, some would say invariably, problems with the remote. Temperature settings are often on deep freeze and difficult to change -- especially at 3am when you wake, frozen to the bed sheets.

Cheaper air-con rooms in particular can be grimy and stuffy, often with air-con that doesn't actually work very well or is particularly noisy. If you can't open the windows and there is a blackout, they can be downright unpleasant.

On the other hand, if you're travelling in the steamy heat of February to April and you haven't acclimatised or you find it difficult to function in hot weather, air-con can be invaluable and is worth the extra few hundred baht. On islands, air-con bungalows tend to be a bit bigger, of a more solid construction and are sometimes better looked after.

Fan rooms are generally better ventilated and have easily opened windows -- which is definitely what you want in a beach hut. A lot also depends on the type of fan room you have. The cheapest fan-cooled rooms may just have a small desk fan or a simple standing fan unit. These do circulate the air, but not all that well. Ceiling fans tend to be better -- old Thai Chinese hotels often have massive industrial strength ceiling fans which beat air-con hands down -- though they often come with industrial noise ratings as well.

All that said, there is nothing quite like snoozing on your bed with the windows open and a light sea breeze washing over you.

More Travelfish FAQs

Please find below some of the more frequently asked questions (FAQ) people have about travelling to Thailand. We've tried to answer all the most frequently asked questions, but if you have another query about Thailand, please try our Travelfish messageboard.

Accommodation

Is it possible to rent rooms or dormitories for long periods of time?
Rooms: is a fan room ok, or should I budget for air-con?
Should I take my own padlock for the door of my room while travelling in Thailand?
What should I do if a bag is stolen from my room or dormitory while travelling in Thailand?
What standard of acommodation can I expect for US$5?
Why are there so few dormitories in Thailand?

Bargaining

Should I bargain for everything I want to buy in Thailand?
What is the best way to bargain in Thailand?
What shouldn't I do when bargaining in Thailand?

Cost of travelling

How much should I budget per day for a holiday in Thailand?
What is the bare minimum I could survive on in Thailand?
What is the best way to spend less money in Thailand?

Food glorious food

Can I drink the tap water in Thailand?
How can I avoid MSG in Thailand?
How do I avoid peanuts in Thailand?
I have a food allergy - will I cope?
Is there good vegetarian food in Thailand?
Is western food available in Thailand?

Getting around

Are the ferries in Thailand safe?
Are the trains in Thailand safe?
Do they trains run on time?
Is it easy to hitch-hike in Thailand?
Is it easy to rent a car or motorcycle in Thailand?
Should I get a tourist minibus in Thailand?
What is Bangkok's bus system like?
Which is the better way to travel around Thailand - train or bus?

Getting there and away

How late do the airport buses run?
What is the best way to get into town from Bangkok airport late at night?

Help Police!

Can I trust the Thai police?
Will I be robbed?

Money madness

Are credit cards accepted in Thailand?
Are there ATMs in Thailand?
How can I have money sent to me in Thailand?
How can I send money out of Thailand?
Should I bring travellers cheques, credit/debit cards or cash to Thailand?
Should I tip in Thailand?

Packing purgatory

What should I pack for a holiday in Thailand?
What shouldn't I pack for a holiday in Thailand?

Resources

Scams and warnings

Is it a good idea to buy drugs off a tuk tuk driver?
Should I buy gems I've been offered by a really convincing person I've met/been introduced to?

Security

Can I use drugs in Thailand?
Is Thailand a safe place to travel alone to?
Is Thailand safe?
Why are there so few hostels in Thailand?

Stay healthy

Are leeches a problem in Thailand?
Are legal drugs cheap in Thailand?
Do I need a prescription in Thailand?
Do I need malarial medication in Thailand?
General food and water precautions in Thailand
General health advice for Thailand
HIV/AIDS in Thailand
Is cholera a problem?
Is heatstroke a problem in Thailand?
Is medical care cheap in Thailand?
Is medical care in Thailand good?
Is rabies a problem in Thailand?
Schistosomiasis in Thailand?
Traveller's medical kit for travel in Thailand
What about dengue fever in Thailand?
Will I get diarrhoea in Thailand?

Technology

Are there many internet cafes in Thailand?
Can I travel with a laptop in Thailand?
Is there ADSL internet access in Thailand?
What is mobile phone coverage like in Thailand?
What is the voltage in Thailand?

Things to learn

Where can I learn how to cook authentic Thai food?
Where can I learn Thai massage?
Where can I learn Thai?

Vexed by visas?

What are Thailand's visa requirements?

Weather

What is the weather like in Thailand?